Why Eskom is loadshedding

According to a statement by Eskom there is a low probability of rotational loadshedding during the day as a result of power station units being returned to the system but the probability of rotational loadshedding increases for the evening peak period from 5pm to 9pm due to the normal expected increase in demand.

Should rotational loadshedding be implemented today it would be for a period up to four hours. Eskom will advise if rotational loadshedding will be conducted in either stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 or stage 4, dependent on the capacity shortage.

Stages requirements:

Stage 1 requires 1000MW to be rotationally loadshed nation-wide

Stage 2 requires 2000 MW

Stage 3 requires 3000 MW

Stage 4 calls for up to 4000 MW to be rotationally loadshed nationally in that given period.

Loadshedding is conducted as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.

Also read: Loadshedding is back – South Africans react

Recovery Period:

The estimated ten-day prognosis for full restoration is due to the effects of the industrial action which interrupted continuous processes at the power plants. These processes have now to be cleared out and restarted which would take additional time.

These include:

• Coal management and transportation. For example the inability to transport coal from the coal stock yards to Eskom’s coal bunkers due to the absence of operating staff.

• Significant increase in plant outages and a bottleneck in routine maintenance due to the lack of resources to optimally operate the plant; such as ash clearing and mechanical failures that occurred during the period.

• In addition, Eskom is currently managing diesel levels at the peaking plants at 50% to ensure that sufficient diesel generation is available for emergencies

Eskom continues to encourage residents and businesses to please use electricity sparingly to ease the demand of electricity.

Also read: What to eat during load shedding

Please switch off geysers during the day especially during peak periods (07:00 to 10:00 and 18:00 to 21:00) as well as all non-essential lighting and electricity appliances to assist in reducing demand.

In the event that load shedding becomes necessary, Eskom and the municipalities will use the published rotational loadshedding schedules.

For Eskom customers, these schedules are available on the Eskom website (loadshedding.eskom.co.za).

Eskom customers can also contact Eskom customer contact centre at 0860 037 566.

Content supplied by Eskom